At Coatesville Community Bike Works we have a 36" set of bolt cutters that cut most chain pretty well. They won't do some larger chain. If the chain has been hardened, chips fly when it breaks so safety goggles are important. http://www.cooperhandtools.com/brands/CF_Files/model_detail.cfm?upc=03710390 9329
I also use a set of Felco C12's for cutting cable locks, as these were found to dull our chain cutters pretty quickly. http://www.felcostore.com/wirecablecutters.jsp
Finally, I bring in a portable band saw once in a while to cut U-locks.
It's quick and painless, without all of the flying sparks other people have
posted about.
http://www.milwaukeetool.com/ProductCategory.aspx?CategoryName=SC%3a++Band+S
aws
Really, I got into this business because I'm a tool freak!
-Doug
-----Original Message----- From: thethinktank-bounces@bikecollectives.org [mailto:thethinktank-bounces@bikecollectives.org] On Behalf Of Scott Beardsley Sent: Tuesday, June 23, 2009 6:25 PM To: The Think Tank Subject: [TheThinkTank] Cutting Bike Locks
I'm involved with the Sacramento Bicycle Kitchen in California. We recently sealed a deal with the local Police to take 30-40 bikes/month off of their hands in return for working with troubled (meaning law-breaking) teens (something we're doing already anyways). I'm really excited about this and it'll bring even more exposure to our quickly growing shop/org along with giving us a ton of extra used parts. I have a question about breaking/cutting locks. Most of the bikes we will get still have locks (U-locks, chains, cables locks, etc) on them. What is the best way to remove these? Right now we are passing it on to the customer, but it'd be nice to at least have the proper tools if they wanted to DIY it. So far we have zero power tools in the shop. This might end up being the exception. What do we need to consider? Eye protection for everyone? Tell me how you handle these issues in your shop.
Thanks! Scott _______________________________________________ Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank@bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit: http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o rg